Vehicle imaging and inspection system
AssigneeBWI Acquisition, Inc.
InventorJason Hauk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A front-end image acquisition component acquires photographs and/or videos of the exterior of a vehicle traveling on a path between a first predefined location and a second predefined location. In one aspect, an image acquisition system comprises a first camera support structure, a second camera support structure, an image processor, and a memory. Cameras are affixed to each of the camera support structures for acquiring image data of a subject vehicle. Image data is controlled by the image processor and the memory. In another aspect, an image acquisition system comprises a first camera tower, a second camera tower, a camera boom. Cameras are affixed to each of the camera towers.
Claims22
A method for acquiring images of a plurality of vehicles, the plurality of vehicles including a first vehicle and a second vehicle, comprising:
- moving the first vehicle underneath an image acquisition system, the image acquisition system including at least six arms and at least six peripheral cameras, each of the at least six arms includes a downwardly extending portion that extends down towards the vehicle, each of the at least six arms arranged in a spaced-apart relationship relative to adjacent ones of the at least six arms, each of the at least six arms arranged in a fixed position such that the at least six arms are in the same fixed position when acquiring images of the first vehicle and the second vehicle, each of the at least six peripheral cameras affixed to a corresponding one of the downwardly extending portions of the at least six arms;
- stopping the first vehicle below the image acquisition system;
- and
- while the first vehicle is stationary, acquiring front image data of a front of the first vehicle from a first one of the at least six cameras;
- while the first vehicle is stationary, acquiring back image data of a back of the first vehicle from a second one of the at least six cameras;
- while the first vehicle is stationary, acquiring first side image data of a first side of the first vehicle from a third one and a fourth one of the at least six cameras;
- and
- while the first vehicle is stationary, acquiring second side image data of a second side of the first vehicle from a fifth one and a sixth one of the at least six cameras.
A system for acquiring images of a plurality of vehicles, the plurality of vehicles including a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the first vehicle and the second vehicle being imaged sequentially such that the first vehicle is imaged by the system and moved away from the system and, thereafter, the second vehicle is then imaged by the system, the system comprising:
- at least six arms coupled to a structure located above the vehicle and extending downwardly in a fixed position, each of the at least six arms being arranged in a spaced-apart relationship relative to adjacent ones of the at least six arms, each of the at least six arms arranged in a fixed position such that the at least six arms remain in the same fixed positions when acquiring images of the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
- a front camera affixed to a first one of the at least six arms, the front camera configured to acquire front image data of a front of the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
- a rear camera affixed to a second one of the at least six arms, the rear camera configured to acquire rear image data of a rear of the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
- two first side cameras affixed, respectively, to a third one and a fourth one of the at least six arms, the two first side cameras configured to acquire first side image data of a first side of the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
- two second side cameras affixed, respectively, to a fifth one and a sixth one of the at least six arms, the two second side cameras configured to acquire second side image data of a second side of the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
- wherein the front camera, the rear camera, the two first side cameras, and the two second side cameras acquire the front image data, the rear image data, the first side image data, and the second side image data of the first vehicle and the second vehicle when the first vehicle and the second vehicle are stationary.
A method for acquiring images of a vehicle, comprising:
- moving the vehicle underneath an image acquisition system, the image acquisition system including at least six arms and at least six peripheral cameras, each of the at least six arms includes a downwardly extending portion that extends down towards the vehicle, each of the at least six arms are coupled to a hub and extend radially outwardly from the hub, each of the at least six arm is arranged in a spaced-apart relationship relative to adjacent ones of the at least six arms, each of the at least six peripheral cameras affixed to a corresponding one of the downwardly extending portions of the at least six arms;
- stopping the vehicle below the image acquisition system;
- and
- while the vehicle is stationary, acquiring front image data of a front of the vehicle from a first one of the at least six cameras;
- while the vehicle is stationary, acquiring back image data of a back of the vehicle from a second one of the at least six cameras;
- while the vehicle is stationary, acquiring first side image data of a first side of the vehicle from a third one and a fourth one of the at least six cameras;
- and
- while the vehicle is stationary, acquiring second side image data of a second side of the vehicle from a fifth one and a sixth one of the at least six cameras.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.